NATCHEZ — Local officials spent this week in Washington D.C. lobbying for a future interstate to come through Natchez.

Both elected and appointed officials flew to the capital Tuesday and returned Friday, meeting with U.S. congressional delegates representing Mississippi during that time.

A group including Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell, Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Smith, Adams County District 1 Supervisor Mike Lazarus and District 2 Supervisor David Carter spoke Wednesday with U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) about the potential highway.

“Both senators are on board,” Grennell said.

The project is currently in the early stages of seeking congressional designation along the current U.S. 84 corridor stretching to Laurel.

“The I-14 designation of U.S Highway 84 is a sound proposal that could become an important part of the president’s infrastructure plan,” Wicker said. “It is clear this long-term project could have a substantial positive impact on Mississippi’s economy and improve safety and mobility for residents.

“I value the information provided at the meeting and commend the ground work put into the I-14 proposal.  The interstate proposal is early in the process, and I look forward to learning more as this moves forward.”

Lazarus said local officials also received positive feedback Thursday from U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) and members of Rep. Steven Palazzo’s (R-Miss.) staff.

The group requested that Harper and Palazzo consider co-sponsoring a bill pertaining to I-14 that will be authored by Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas.

“We’re taking the lead on this to get our people on board,” Lazarus said.

Smith said the hope is that the language from Babin’s bill would eventually be added to a federal infrastructure bill the White House is expected to roll out some time this year. President Donald Trump has said the bill would inject upwards of $1 trillion into U.S. infrastructure.

Carter said the city and county must continue to press the issue even though the manifestation of I-14 is still many years down the road.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to plant a seed now, and you don’t see it (grow) until the future,” Carter said.